Here's a nice citation from the Second Circuit that demonstrates
that a "termination" of the grant of rights in a copyright license
is considered as a "rescission". I'd forget Australia -- it's not in
the Second Circuit where its decisions the precedent:
"Finally, James argues that even if the nonpayment of royalties and
the removal of James's authorship credit amount to no more than
breaches of covenants, these breaches terminated the license. . .
One party's breach does not automatically cause [rescission] of a
bilateral contract.") (emphasis omitted). Similarly, although James
sometimes characterizes the licensing agreement as abandoned,
abandonment of a contract can be accomplished only through mutual
assent of the parties, as demonstrated by positive and unequivocal
conduct inconsistent with an intent to be bound. See Armour & Co.
v. Celic , 294 F.2d 432, 435-36 (2d Cir. 1961). New York law does
not presume the rescission or abandonment of a contract and the
party asserting rescission or abandonment has the burden of proving
it."; GRAHAM v JAMES 144 F.3d 229 (2d Cir. 1998).
Sincerely,
Rjack :)